Uplift Bra

ABSTRACT

A bra with two breast cups, joined together at a mid region. A chest strap extends from each breast cup, to encompass the chest of the wearer. The chest straps are engaged to each breast cup at least two locations, a first location being above a second location. Each breast cup has a panel with a perimeter defining a neckline and a support line. The support line is of a continuously curved nature between its upper terminus where a shoulder support strap is located, and its inner terminus where the cups are joined. The breast cups each include a longitudinally extending line of inelasticity extending between the first location and the mid region.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements to an uplift bra andparticularly but not solely to a bra to enhance cleavage.

BACKGROUND

Bras to change the chest region appearance of a person are known. Anexample of a bras is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,419. It is a brawhich aims to reduce of flatten the underarm region of tissue of thewearer. Its construction is such that it would not maximise the cleavageof the breast at or above the neckline of the bra because the necklineis tight as between the shoulder straps and the mid region of the bra.Furthermore there is no uplifting occurring of the lower region of thebreast tissue to aid in the generation of cleavage by the bra of U.S.Pat. No. 4,470,419.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide anuplift bra which is an improvement over the prior art described above orwill at least provide the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in anuplift bra comprising

two breast cups, each to receive at least part of a breast of the wearerof the bra,

means for joining said breast cups at a mid region of said bra to definewith said breast cups so joined, a breast cup assembly

a chest strap or straps extending from each said breast cup, toencompass at least part of the chest of the wearer of the bra so thatwhen worn the chest strap or straps hold the breast cups against thechest region of the wearer, the or each chest strap engaged to eachbreast cup at least two locations, a first location (herein after “upperpoint”) being above a second location (herein after “lower point”)

wherein each breast cup consists of a panel (whether defined by a singleor multi panel, single or multi ply assembly) which includes a perimeterdefining a neckline and a support line, the support line generallyextending about the lower region of the breast cup and the neck linegenerally extending about the upper region of the breast cup, saidsupport line being of a continuously curved (but not necessarilyconstant curvature) nature between;

-   -   (i) its upper terminus at or proximate to which at least one        of (a) an over the shoulder support strap and (b) the upper        point is located, and    -   (ii) its inner terminus at or proximate to which at least one        of (a) the lower point and (b) the means for joining the two        breast cups is located

wherein each said breast cup includes a longitudinally extending line orregion of inelasticity extending between said upper point and said meansfor joining.

Preferably said longitudinally extending line or region of inelasticityterminates at a first end at said upper point and at its second end, ator proximate said means for joining.

Preferably said longitudinally extending line or region of inelasticitypasses below the region of said panel at where said nipple of the weareris to be located.

Preferably said longitudinally extending line or region of inelasticitylies on a direct albeit contoured to the cup shape of said breast cupline between said upper point and said means for joining.

Preferably said longitudinally extending line or region of inelasticitylies on a downwardly curved and contoured to the cup shape of saidbreast cup line between said upper point and said means for joining.

Preferably said longitudinally extending line or region of inelasticitylies on a direct albeit contoured to the cup shape of said breast cupline between said upper point and said mid region of said bra.

Preferably said neckline of a said breast cup is commensurate with saidlongitudinally extending region of inelasticity.

Preferably said neckline of a said breast cup is commensurate with saidlongitudinally extending region of inelasticity and said upper point isprovided at the upper terminus of said support line.

Preferably a shoulder strap is located at the upper terminus of saidsupport line and is at or proximate to said upper point, said bra beingin this instance a quarter bra.

Preferably said neckline defines the upper side of said panel locatedabove said longitudinally extending line or region of inelasticity andsaid upper terminus of said support line is above said upper point.

Preferably said support line is of a continuously curved (but notnecessarily constant curvature) nature between;

-   -   (i) its upper terminus at or proximate to which at least one        of (a) an over the shoulder support strap and (b) the upper        point is located, and    -   (ii) its inner terminus at or proximate to the means for joining        the two breast cups.

Preferably said support line is of a continuously curved (but notnecessarily constant curvature) nature between;

-   -   (i) its upper terminus at or proximate to which an over the        shoulder support strap is located, and    -   (ii) its inner terminus at or proximate to the means for joining        the two breast cups,

wherein the upper point is disposed to the support line of the breastcup below the upper terminus.

Preferably said means for joining is a bridge member between said twobreast cups.

Preferably said bridge member is a separate item.

Preferably said bridge member is integral with said breast cups, saidbreast cups and said bridge being formed from a single panel or ply ofmulti-ply assembly.

Preferably said means for joining is a stitching or adhesive meansengaging said cups directly together.

Preferably said means defining a chest band is split chest band todefine a first and second chest band portion a first portion engaged toa first of said breast cups and a second portion engaged to the otherbreast cup.

Preferably said split chest band has its first and second portionsselectively engagable at regions distal from said breast cups.

Preferably said first and second portions selectively engagable by aclasp mechanism.

Preferably said means defining a chest band is non-interruptible alongits extent between its regions of affixing to each said breast cups,said bra being of a kind which can be undone at the mid region of thebra anterior of the wearer of the bra.

Preferably said mid region of the bra includes means for selectivelyfastening said breast cups together.

Preferably said chest strap or straps includes means to define a top andbottom pull line each pull line provided engaged at the upper and lowerpoint of a said breast cup respectively.

Preferably said means defining said pull lines are non elastic regionsof said chest strap or straps.

Preferably each said pull line is defined by a non elastic band.

Preferably said non elastic bands of the or each chest band are joinedby a webbing extending between the top and bottom pull lines.

Preferably said webbing is a fabric material.

Preferably said webbing is also engaged to said support line of eachbreast cup.

Preferably said pull lines are at least at regions thereof immediatelyadjacent said breast cups, not connected to each other by any form ofwebbing.

Preferably said non elastic bands are not interconnected with each otherat least at regions thereof immediately adjacent said breast cups.

Preferably said non elastic bands are independent chest straps extendingform their respective engagement points at said support line.

Preferably said upper pull line induces a horizontal force to saidsupport line when the bra is worn by a wearer.

Preferably said upper pull line also induces an upward force to saidsupport line when the bra is worn by a wearer.

Alternatively said upper pull line also induces a downward force to saidsupport line when the bra is worn by a wearer.

Preferably said upper point is above the nipple of the wearer.

Preferably said lower point is below the nipple of the wearer.

Preferably for each said breast cup, said respective bottom pull line ishorizontally in line with the means for joining said breast cups.

Preferably for each said breast cup, said respective lower point ishorizontally in line with the means for joining said breast cups.

Preferably said upper and lower points and a point or region at wheresaid means for joining is provided, form an isosceles triangle.

Preferably said upper and lower points and a point or region at wheresaid means for joining is provided, form an scalene triangle.

Preferably lower band induces a purely horizontal force to the breastcup at its support line.

Preferably the neckline of each said breast cup is of a length and/orcurvature to, when worn, not to tend towards reducing the curvaturethereof in a line between its upper terminus and said means for joining.

Preferably the neckline of each said breast cup is of a length and/orcurvature to, when worn, not to tend towards reducing the projectedcurvature thereof onto plane extending generally perpendicular to theanterior plane of the body of the wearer and passing through its upperterminus and said means for joining.

Preferably the neckline of each said breast cup is of a length and/orcurvature to, when worn, not to tend towards reducing the projectedcurvature thereof onto plane parallel to the anterior plane of the bodyof the wearer.

Preferably said neckline does not choke the displacement of the breasttissue of the wearer from displacing in part out from beyond the coverof each said breast cup.

Preferably said panel of each breast cup is at least of two sub panelsengaged together along said line of inelasticity.

Preferably said line or zone of inelasticity is a line of stitching.

Preferably said zone of inelasticity is a line of modification of thepanel which is not provided to other regions of the panel inward of theperimeter thereof.

Preferably said zone of inelasticity is a line of inelasticity.

Preferably the zone of inelasticity passes below the would be locationof the nipple of the wearer.

In a second aspect the present invention consist in a garment whichincorporates a bra as herein before described.

In a further aspect the present invention consist in a bra ashereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In still a further aspect the present invention consist in a bra asdescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Where reference herein is made to inelasticity, it is to be appreciatedthat it can mean that such is of less elasticity than other portions ofthe breast cup of the bra of the present invention.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts,elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification ofthe application, individually or collectively, and any or allcombinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, andwhere specific integers are mentioned herein which have knownequivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such knownequivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually setforth.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred form of the present invention will now be described withreference to the Figures in which:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a bra of the present invention illustrating apreferred but not essential panel layout for each of the breast cupsshowing a preferred chest strap and shoulder strap configurationdisposed from each of the breast cups,

FIG. 1B is a front view of a bra of the present invention shown in aquarter bra style wherein the breast cups do not extend upwardssufficiently to cover the nipples of the wearer,

FIG. 2 is a front view of a breast cup from which there are disposed thechest straps and shoulder strap in the most preferred configuration ofthe present invention,

FIG. 3 is an anterior upper body view of a person wearing the uplift braof the present invention,

FIG. 4 is a view provided for explanatory purposes to illustrate theforces and mechanisms to which the bra of the present invention issubjected to when being worn, and

FIG. 5 is a front view of a breast cup illustrating the points ofattachment of the chest strap or straps to provide the point forces atpoints B and C to the support line 8 of a breast cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1A, shows a general view of the uplift bra 1 of the presentinvention. The uplift bra 1 consists of two breast cups 3, 4 providedfor the purposes of both supporting and covering preferably asubstantial portion or at least a lower portion of each breast of thewearer. Each breast cup 3, 4 includes an upper/inner perimeter line 6, 7(hereinafter referred to as “neckline”) and an outer/lower perimeterline (hereinafter referred to as “support line”) 8, 9. The neckline 6, 7may be of any desirable profile taking into consideration desirabledesign aspects such as ensuring that the nipple of the wearer is coveredand to provide an aesthetic profile. In an alternative form of thepresent invention, the bra 1 may not necessarily provide the breast cup3, 4 to cover the nipple of the wearer. Bras known for example by thename “quarter bra” may be of a form wherein no portion of the breast cupcovers the nipple and the breast cup only provides support to portionsof the breast below (and perhaps also outward from) the nipple. Such abra is for example shown in FIG. 1B.

Since the bra 1 is preferably provided for the purposes of enhancingcleavage, the neckline 6, 7 preferably does not extend upwardly to anextent that it will cover all of the cleavage generated by the bra whenworn.

Whilst reference herein is made to the term “cleavage” the generalresult that the bra of the present invention is able to provide is anuplifting of the breast tissue of the wearer. For some wearers,uplifting will result in cleavage but for others and depending on thebra size selected, uplifting may not necessarily create cleavage. Assuch it will be appreciated that whilst the term “cleavage” is known todescribe a particular appearance of the breast of the wearer, such maynot necessarily be achieved whilst uplifting is achieved by the bra ofthe present invention.

The support line 8, 9 of each of the breast cups 3, 4 is preferably of acontinuous though not necessarily constant, curvature. It is preferablyof a non-stretch configuration. The support line of each cup extendsfrom a mid region 10 of the bra 1 where for example each cup 3, 4 isengaged to the other cup or engaged to a bridging section 11 (see FIG.2). With reference to FIG. 1A the support line 8 of for example thefirst mentioned breast cup 3 extends from the mid region 10 to theouter/upper terminus 12 of the support line 8 of the breast cup 3. Atthe upper region 12, the breast cup 3 has disposed a shoulder strap 13.The shoulder strap 13 is engaged to the breast cup 3 at its periphery ator very proximate to where the outer/upper terminus 12 of the supportline 8 is provided. An identical arrangement occurs with respect to theother breast cup 4.

In combination with this preferred continuous and substantially curvedsupport line 8, 9, the interior portion of each of the breast cups 3, 4includes an important aspect for the purposes of enhancing cleavage whenthe bra 1 of the present invention is worn. This aspect is a line ofrigidity or zone of rigidity 14 (or also herein referred to as zone orline of inelasticity) extending from the mid region 10 of each of thebreast cups to the support line 8, 9 of each of the breast cups 3, 4.The line of rigidity 14 may also be considered a line of tension or lineof support or zone of tension. It is established across the cup 3 asshown in FIG. 2, between point 10 or proximate thereto, and point 18.The line is most preferably of a non elastic nature in its longitudinaldirection.

In the example of the bra shown in FIG. 1B it can be seen that this lineof rigidity 14 does not extend across the breast cup but instead extendsalong the neckline or is the neckline of the breast cup.

Whilst a physical modification may be made to the breast cup to definethe line of rigidity, in some forms this may not necessarily be so. In abra where for example the breast cup is made from a moulded material, nomodification by the introduction of additional material of the breastcup along the line of rigidity 14 may occur. The line of rigidity orzone of rigidity is established in concave profile of the breast cup atthis line of rigidity as a result of the application of forces to thebreast cup by the various components engaged to the breast cup, whichwill be described below.

The line of rigidity 14 may for example be provided by a line ofstitching, a seam connecting two panels of the breast cup together or byfor example the conversion of a normally flexible material of the breastcup into a rigid or semi-rigid form. For example the breast cup is madefrom a moulded plastics material, application of heat to the regionalong the line of rigidity 14 can convert the moulded material to afirmer and more rigid form.

The line of rigidity 14 and with reference to FIG. 2, extends betweenthe mid region 10 at or proximate its inner most terminus 17 to itsother terminus 18 at or proximate the support line 8 of the cup 3. Theother or outer terminus 18 of the line of rigidity 14 is positioned,(with reference to a coordinate frame of a kind wherein the bra 1 of thepresent invention is being worn) so as to provide the outer terminus 18of the line of rigidity 14 higher than its inner terminus 17. The angleto the horizontal between the inner and outer terminus 17, 18 may forexample be between 5 and 45 degrees. In the most preferred form thisline of rigidity 14 is provided to the cup shape 3 so as to run acrossthe breast tissue preferably below the nipple of the wearer, to upliftthe lower portions of the breast.

It will be most desirable if the zone is of a continuous curvature so asnot to create any undesirable indentations in the breast tissue whichmay detract form the visual appearance of the bra being worn.

Preferably at or approximate to the junction of the outer terminus 18with the support line 8 of the breast cup 3, there is provided a cheststrap 19. The chest strap 19 is a strap which extends about the torso ofthe wearer of a person and may be interrupted by a clasp or catch likemechanism but preferably connects to a like chest strap or continuesabout the torso wearer for engagement to the other breast cup of a bra1. This chest strap (upper chest strap 19) is engaged to the breast cup18 preferably at the support line 8 (and likewise to the other breastcup 4) close or at the same point as where the outer terminus 18 of theline of rigidity 14 is located.

As such the upper chest strap 19 preferably engages to the breast cup 3at a location above the end of the neck line 6 of the breast cup 3 atthe inner region 10 of the bra 1. However this upper chest strap 19 isnot engaged at such a vertical (but not necessarily vertically aligned)displacement from the inner region 10 to be at the upper most terminusof the neck line 6 at or where the shoulder strap 13 engages at region12 of the breast cup 3.

With reference to FIG. 1B where a quarter bra is shown, it can be seenthat the shoulder straps 13 engage at proximate to the breast cups atthe upper most terminus of the neckline 6/14 which is also substantiallycommensurate with the location at where the chest strap 19 engages witheach of the breast cups.

A second or lower chest strap 20 is also provided extending from thebreast cup 3. The lower chest strap 20 is provided to extend about thetorso of the wearer to be engaged to the other of the breast cups. It ispreferably also interruptible by a clasp to allow for convenient use ofthe bra 1. It however would be appreciated that the mid region 10 of thebra may alternatively be provided with the clasp 4 for putting on andtaking off of the bra 1.

The lower chest strap 20 engages to for example the breast cup 3 at itssupport line 8 where the support line 8 is at its lower most point.Whilst it may not necessarily be at the lowest most point, the point ofengagement of the lower chest strap 20 is such that it provides asubstantially horizontal force to the breast cup 3 which extendssubstantially through the mid region 10 of the bra 1. This force passespreferably below the breasts of the wearer. This is for example shown inFIG. 5. In FIG. 5 it can be seen that point B is substantiallyhorizontally in line with point A. In the example shown in FIG. 5, aportion of the breast cup still extends below the horizontal betweenpoints A and B. However in an alternative configuration point B may bebelow that shown in FIG. 5 and may tend towards or be at the lowestpoint of the breast cup.

With reference to FIG. 4, it can be seen that a triangulation isoccurring between points (i) A at the mid region 10 of the bra, (ii) Bat the region where the lower chest strap 20 engages to the support line8 of the breast cup, and (iii) C at where the upper chest strap 19engages to the support line 8 of the breast cup 3. Such triangulationoccurs substantially along various lines of rigidity including thepreviously mentioned line 14 provided extending across the breast cupbetween its inner terminus 17 and outer terminus 18. However a preferredline of rigidity 26 also exists substantially along the horizontalregion 30 of the support line 8 of the breast cup 3. A line of rigidity27 may also exist substantially along or approximate to that portion ofthe support line 8 between the points B and C at where the upper andlower straps 19, 20 are engaged to the breast cup 3. Since in thepreferred form the support line 8 of the breast cup 3 is of a nonstretch configuration, (and the panels or the interior panel portions ofthe breast cup can be of a flexible material) the triangulation betweenpoints A, B and C is substantially along lines of rigidity provided bythe particular construction of the breast cup 3.

With provision of the shoulder strap 13 to the upper region 12 of thesupport line 8 and wherein the angle of force applied by the shoulderstrap 13 is substantially in line (e.g. tangential) with the supportline 8 at region 12 of the breast cup 3, the upwardly directed forcesupporting the breast cup 3 by the shoulder strap 13 is along thesupport line 8 at the region 12. With the substantially continuouslycurved nature of the support line 8, this upward support force FUapplied to the support line 8 by the shoulder strap 13 holds the breastcup 3 against dropping down the chest of the wearer of the bra. In themost preferred form of the present invention the upper chest strap 19holds point C outwardly from the mid region 10 of the breast cup. Thisoutward force may be substantially horizontal as for example shown byarrow FH on FIG. 4 or may include an upwardly direct component FO. Thisupwardly directed component of force FO is preferably or tends towardsbeing in line with the line of rigidity 14 extending between points Aand C. However since a component of force FU is applied to the supportline 8 of the breast cup by the chest strap 13, such upwardly directedforce FO applied by the upper chest strap 19 is not necessary for atension to be created along the line of rigidity 27 extending betweenthe points B and C. However the force FO may be provided to enhance thattension between point B and C. Most preferably the force FL provided bythe lower chest strap 20 is substantially horizontal. Where reference ismade to outward forces it is not forces outwards of the body butoutwards from the centre for example.

With reference to FIG. 2, the panel of the breast cup 3 below the lineof rigidity 14 and between it and the support line 8 may be of a singlepanel or of a double or multi panel arrangement as for example in FIG.2. It can be seen that a two panel configuration is provided including afirst panel 31 and a second panel 32 which are separated by a line 33such as a seam connecting two panels together or a weld or a line ofrigidity like that provided in the form of the line of rigidity 14. Theline of rigidity 33 may be provided for the purposes like that of theline of rigidity 14 and/or for the purposes of providing a curvature tothis part of the breast cup 3 for the purposes of enhancing cleavage.However in a form where the breast cup 3 is made from a mouldedmaterial, such a panel assembly as shown in FIG. 2 may not be necessary.As can be seen with reference to FIG. 4, a triangulation is occurringbetween the anchor points A, B and C, and preferably such triangulationis occurring below the location where the nipple of the wearer is placedor likely to be placed when the bra of the present invention is beingworn. As such whilst point C in a full cover bra is located at aposition away from the upper most region of the breast cup, in a quarterbra where the breast cup does not cover the nipple of the wearer, anchorpoint C may be provided at or proximate to the upper point of the breastcup at or near where the shoulder straps also attach to the breast cup.

Whilst reference herein has been made to the provision of two straps, anupper strap and lower strap 19, 20, it will be appreciated that suchstraps need not necessarily be independent items but may form part of achest band or wing wherein the chest band or wing includes upper andlower perimeters commensurate with anchor points B and C as for exampleshown in FIG. 5. Furthermore the chest band may not necessarily provideupper and lower perimeter lines commensurate with anchor points B and Cbut may incorporate lines of rigidity or tension which are in line withpoints B and C yet having a perimeter of the chest band beyond the linesof tension. The two breast cups are joined to each other or areconnected to each other at the mid region of the bra. This joining maybe by way of an intermediate connection panel or panels or gore.Alternatively the cups may be directly joined to each other by stitchingor other fastening. This may include adhesive. Alternatively the breastcups are of a one piece assembly. In the most preferred form the linebetween points A and C extends preferably less than 45 degrees to theline between A and B. The line between A and B is preferablysubstantially horizontal.

The line between A and C will be contoured as it extends across thethree dimensional cup shape. It hence may have flexibility in terms ofbending but in its longitudinal direction is substantially inelastic orof a non-stretch configuration. The line between points A and C ispreferably a straight line other than it running across a contouredthree dimensional cup shape. In other words when looking front on, theline does look substantially straight. The upper strap 19 which issubstantially horizontal can apply a longitudinal force along the lineof inelasticity extending between points A and C. This is because thereis some degree of alignment between the horizontal strap 19 and the lineof inelasticity running between points A and C. Were the line betweenpoints A and C be vertical, then the horizontal force of the upper strapcould not apply a force longitudinally along the line of inelasticity.

In the most preferred form there is only one line of inelasticityhowever additional lines may extend below the line of inelasticityextending between points A and C. There may for example be a line ofinelasticity extending between points A and B. Preferably there is noline of inelasticity above the line between points A and C other thanthe neckline perimeter 6 which may be inelastic. The curvature of thebreast cup above the line of inelasticity between points A and C ispreferably such as to allow for breast tissue to extend beyond theneckline perimeter 6. The neckline perimeter 6 is of a shape to allowsuch tissue to extend above it. The shape of the cup above the line ofinelasticity is preferably such as to not press against the breasttissue but may merely be there for the purposes of providing some visualcover to the breast tissue therebelow.

The lower portion of the breast cup 3 is provided in a configuration forthe purposes of displacing the lower breast tissue and reducing thevolume of this region of the breast of the wearer. Such can result inthe displacement of the breast tissue to more liberal regions of thebreast cup where greater room is provided for the tissue to displace andexpand to. Such room is preferably provided towards the upper regions ofthe breast cup tending towards and at the neck line 6.

The curvature or concave nature of the breast cup at the region belowthe line of rigidity 14 is such as to produce both the volume at thisregion as well as preferably preventing the dropping of the breast belowthe support line 8.

In the breast cup of the present invention little or no tension may becreated between the upper region 12 of the breast cup and the innerregion 10 and along the neck line 6. The neck line 6 is to be formed ina condition where it basically opens up to the breast tissue beingdisplaced from the lower regions of the breast thereby allowing for thebreast tissue to be presented in a form providing cleavage. It is forthis reason that the outer terminus 18 and where or approximate to wherethe upper strap 19 are provided, does not tend towards or is notapproximate at to the upper point 12 of the breast cup 3 at where theshoulder strap 13 is engaged. It is also for this reason that theshoulder strap 13 lies towards the inner region of the bra relative tothe vertical as for example shown in FIG. 2 rather than to the outerside as shown in FIG. 1A. In the condition as shown in FIG. 1A, theupward force FU applied to the breast cup 3 by the shoulder strap 13 canresult in a greater tension being created between points 12 and 10 ofthe breast cup 3 thereby tightening the region between points 12 and 10of the breast cup and discouraging the displacement of breast tissuebeyond the perimeter 6 of the breast cup 3. A slightly inwardly anglingforce applied by the shoulder strap 13 will have a tendency to open upthe perimeter line 6 and 7 of each of the breast cups 3 and 4 therebyprovide less resistance to the breast tissue displacing upwardly beyondthese perimeter lines.

One of the advantages that the bra of the present invention provides isthat the support for the bra starts from the centre back in contrast toa regular bra where most of the support comes from the shoulder straps.Due to the triangulation that occurs and the forces that are applied bythe chest straps at the two points of each of the breast cups, apressure and volume reducing effect is applied to the lower breasttissue of the wearer to thereby displace the breasts upwardly. The overthe shoulder straps are not the primary reason that such uplift occursbut instead are provided to assist to a certain extent, the holding inplace of the breast cups. Another advantage that the bra of the presentinvention can provide is that it can be made of a non-stretch fabric orone-way stretch fabric where no underwires or padding is required. Thiswill enhance comfort to the wearer and also reduce manufacturing costs.

With the application of pressure to the cup form of the brasubstantially even pressure over the breast cup can be achieved whereinthe breast tissue is forced away from the outer and/or lower perimeterline and towards the open and uncovered area of the breast opposite tothe outer and/or lower perimeter line.

Accordingly in the most preferred form the present invention does notprovide breast cups which extend across the entire breast tissue of thewearer due to the fact that such complete cover would result in the bracovering any cleavage that is formed by the bra of the presentinvention.

1. An uplift bra comprising two breast cups, each to receive at leastpart of a breast of the wearer of the bra, means for joining said breastcups at a mid region of said bra to define with said breast cups sojoined, a breast cup assembly a chest strap or straps extending fromeach said breast cup, to encompass at least part of the chest of thewearer of the bra so that when worn the chest strap or straps hold thebreast cups against the chest region of the wearer, the or each cheststrap engaged to each breast cup at least two locations, a firstlocation (herein after “upper point”) being above a second location(herein after “lower point”) wherein each breast cup consists of a panel(whether defined by a single or multi panel, single or multi plyassembly) which includes a perimeter defining a neckline and a supportline, the support line generally extending about the lower region of thebreast cup and the neck line generally extending about the upper regionof the breast cup, said support line being of a continuously curved (butnot necessarily constant curvature) nature between; (i) its upperterminus at or proximate to which at least one of (a) an over theshoulder support strap and (b) the upper point is located, and (ii) itsinner terminus at or proximate to which at least one of (a) the lowerpoint and (b) the means for joining the two breast cups is locatedwherein each said breast cup includes a longitudinally extending line orregion of inelasticity extending between said upper point and said meansfor joining.
 2. The uplift bra as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidlongitudinally extending line or region of inelasticity terminates at afirst end at said upper point and at its second end, at or proximatesaid means for joining.
 3. The uplift bra as claimed in claim 1 whereinsaid longitudinally extending line or region of inelasticity passesbelow the region of said panel at where said nipple of the wearer is tobe located.
 4. The uplift bra as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidlongitudinally extending line or region of inelasticity lies on a directalbeit contoured to the cup shape of said breast cup line between saidupper point and said means for joining.
 5. The uplift bra as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said longitudinally extending line or region ofinelasticity lies on a downwardly curved and contoured to the cup shapeof said breast cup line between said upper point and said means forjoining.
 6. The uplift bra as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidlongitudinally extending line or region of inelasticity lies on a directalbeit contoured to the cup shape of said breast cup line between saidupper point and said mid region of said bra.
 7. The uplift bra asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said neckline defines the upper side of saidpanel located above said longitudinally extending line or region ofinelasticity and said upper terminus of said support line is above saidupper point.
 8. The uplift bra as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidsupport line is of a continuously curved (but not necessarily constantcurvature) nature between; (i) its upper terminus at or proximate towhich at least one of (a) an over the shoulder support strap and (b) theupper point is located, and (ii) its inner terminus at or proximate tothe means for joining the two breast cups.
 9. The uplift bra as claimedin claim 1 wherein said support line is of a continuously curved (butnot necessarily constant curvature) nature between; (i) its upperterminus at or proximate to which an over the shoulder support strap islocated, and (ii) its inner terminus at or proximate to the means forjoining the two breast cups, wherein the upper point is disposed to thesupport line of the breast cup below the upper terminus.
 10. The upliftbra as claimed in claim 1 wherein said chest strap or straps includesmeans to define a top and bottom pull line each pull line providedengaged at the upper and lower point of a said breast cup respectively.11. The uplift bra as claimed in claim 10 wherein said means definingsaid pull lines are non elastic regions of said chest strap or straps.12. The uplift bra as claimed in claim 10 wherein each said pull line isdefined by a non elastic band.
 13. The uplift bra as claimed in claim 1wherein said upper point is above the nipple of the wearer.
 14. Theuplift bra as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lower point is below thenipple of the wearer.
 15. The uplift bra as claimed in claim 10 whereinfor each said breast cup, said respective bottom pull line ishorizontally in line with the means for joining said breast cups. 16.The uplift bra as claimed in claim 1 wherein said panel of each breastcup is at least of two sub panels engaged together along said line ofinelasticity.
 17. The uplift bra as claimed in claim 1 wherein said lineor zone of inelasticity is a line of stitching.
 18. The garment whichincorporates a bra as claimed in claim
 1. 19. (canceled)
 20. (canceled)